WVU TE Kole Taylor Admits to Being Motivated by Particular Award

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Kole Taylor was already planning to raise his game in 2024, but he now has even more motivation. Taylor learned he’s made the Mackey Award Watch List while talking with reporters on Friday.

Taylor, who said he was checking his phone all day knowing the list was being unveiled, admitted he is striving to win the Mackey Award and be recognized as the nation’s top tight end. He also revealed a personal goal of 50 catches for his final college season.

“It’s good news to hear I’m on the watch list. Having that is just a bigger target on my back,” said Taylor, acknowledging the more he’s recognized, the more it motivates defenders to stop him. Taylor emphasized being part of a Big 12 championship is his top priority over any individual goal.

⭐️ Mackey Award Watch List: @KoleTaylor3 pic.twitter.com/1R5UxSFSrl

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 9, 2024

Taylor also has plenty of reasons to be even more confident about his place within the offense moving forward. Taylor, who recorded 35 receptions for 444 yards and scored four touchdowns in 2023, believes the chemistry he’s built with Garrett Greene and the relationship he now has with Neal Brown should equate to being provided more of an opportunity to perform in his second year as a Mountaineer.

On the issue of not being available in EA Sports’ College Football 25….

Don’t blame him, says Taylor. The WVU tight end said he did opt into game, but received an email telling him he was not selected to be in the game. Believing this was an error, Taylor and the West Virginia program are working to get him added to the game as part of an update.

WVU TE Kole Taylor clears up not being in NCAA College Football 25, saying he did opt in and then received an email telling him he was not selected to be in the game. The belief is that was an error and he says it’s hopefully being worked out to get him in the game.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 9, 2024

When Taylor came to West Virginia before the 2023 season, he did so on the promise he would receive more of an opportunity as a pass catcher. Taylor is now looking to build off a successful season with an even more productive 2024. He revealed that he’s striving for 50 catches based on the work he’s been putting in with quarterback Garrett Greene.

After spending three years in the SEC with LSU, Taylor transferred to WVU in January of 2023. He then recorded 35 receptions for 444 yards and scored four touchdowns, giving the Mountaineers the program’s most prolific tight end in years.

Prior to WVU, Taylor started only seven of his 32 games at LSU and made just 17 career catches for 159 yards and one touchdown. Taylor was a three-star recruit of Grand Junction, Colo. in 2020.

Taylor’s offensive numbers may be what catches (pun intended) people’s attention, especially since WVU head coach Neal Brown once referred to his 6-foot-7, 225-pound tight end target as “open by birth” but he prides himself on being a complete player.

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

“I never like being called just a pass catching tight end or just a run blocking tight end. You have to be versatile if you want to play at the next level,” Taylor responded when asked about how he was used after a game early in WVU’s 2023 season.

Taylor also made it clear he’s ready for whatever is needed from him during games. “If I get open, they are going to throw me the ball. If I get open, they are going to find plays for me. So I have to do my job to make it happen,” he said about his mentality during games.

For a related story, WVU quarterback Garrett Greene made the watch list for an historic college football award.